Ochocinco named honorary member of Sporting KC

NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has been named as an honorary member of Sporting Kansas City, the Major League Soccer club announced today.

Ochocinco will depart Kansas City tomorrow after a six-day tryout with the club, but he will have the opportunity to return to the team for reserve training and workouts during the season.

“This is a positive outcome for everyone involved,” Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes said. “It’s been great to have Chad here and we’ll welcome him back when he’s ready to return. He’s been a true professional throughout his tryout, he has fit right in with the other players and he has been a great presence in the locker room. He has definitely earned the right to be an honorary member of the squad.”

Ochocinco said he enjoyed the opportunity to try out.

“I had a great six days here ... just to be able to grace the pitch with these guys was awesome,” Ochocinco said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play the game of soccer. Manager Vermes was kind enough to allow me to stay here at will to train with the reserves and continue to get myself in shape.”

Ochocinco, a six-time NFL Pro Bowl selection, participated in a Sporting Kansas City reserve game on Monday against the KC Brass at the team’s Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park. He played the final 30 minutes and said afterward that it was a dream come true to be given the opportunity to play professional soccer in a competitive setting.